Posted 11 years ago
kyratango
(439 items)
I found this nice tray, then when googling for infos, I discover on CW a fantastic article with same tray:
http://www.collectorsweekly.com/articles/journey-into-the-opium-underworld/
This large 63x42.5 cm tray was in fairly good condition except lacking of two large pieces of mother of pearl.
So, I decided to try a repair with white air hardening modeling clay.
When hard, a patina was to do...
Best was obtain with make-up!!! Pearly eye shadow on nearly dry nail top coat, incised with old scalpel, blakened with eye liner.
Then a throughout brown shoe polish and that's done.
Very proud of my work and glad to be a girl for having these make-up material lol!
Now I'm searching some other inlaid items to restore, and my hubbie is worry about the invasion ;-))
Thanks for your comment and love!
Wonderful restored!
Thanks Agram for all your kind comments on my posts!
Really beautiful! I love mother of pearl items!
Thanks Don!
you are probably right about the origin -- indochina, but wrong about the age and usage. It's called scholar tray and existed hundred years before the introduction of opium. And Yes, it was once used as opium smoking accessory.
Thank you shrine for your precision!
Shrine, what about the age if 19th is wrong?
More ancient or modern?
You have done a nice job, I can learn from you!
Thank you Agram for your wonderful comment, much appreciated :-))
Thank you lisa and Kivatinitz !
Opium paraphernalia article on CW:
http://www.collectorsweekly.com/articles/journey-into-the-opium-underworld/
Very nice job on the restoration , your Tray is lovely .
Thank you LovelyPat for your kind comment and love :-)
Thanks too Caperkid, Themuse and Ho2cultcha for the loves !
Beautiful, and beautiful work, kyratango, on your scholar tray. :)
Thank you Kath! I regret my pics are not so good :-/
Thank you Inky for loving it :-)